QOTD: Giving Meganium more supportive traits like the Friend Guard ability or moves such as Rage Powder and Pollen Puff could make it viable as an alternative to Amoonguss
Trevenant player here. That battle was frustratingly fun. I still cannot believe that double burn. It was still fun to battle you and I hope to come across you on the ladder at a later time.
It only took around 10 years for GameFreak to realize Empoleon has a higher special attack than attack. I’ve been calling defiant to get changed to competitive for years now and it finally happened.
Just dropping here to say I used this team this past Sunday at an unofficial Japanese qualifier and I managed to top cut with this team!!! I sadly lost in top 32 and couldn't make it to top 8 to secure my invite to their unofficial national tournament, but I am super glad that I was able to make it to top cut because Japan's tournaments are always super stacked.😂😂😂 Thanks for introducing this team, Aaron, as it was a super fun team to use! It was nice to hear everyone react to me using Empoleon! We gotta give the love it has been needing for years!❤
I just wanted to say, even though I don't play this game because of the performance issues, I still enjoy keeping up with your channel and watching you play! Glad you got to use the Piplup line!
QotD: I'd do almost anything to have my guy Sceptile be competitively relevant. Could add a secondary type like Dragon or Dark, but really Sceptile is wasted as a special attacker. I'd swap its offensive stats so that it can actually use its signature move better and make SD sets more viable.
Aaron has been working so hard at school that he hasn't had time to know that he's facing the Wolfe Glick Komo-o team. Mad props to school work and your content as well. Keep up the good work in both fields
@@fromretroville I love Serperior, but it would be a menace if it had Draco meteor with stab. I think stuff like Superpower, Close Combat, and Scale Shot would be cool. Let it run some more mixed sets. They may not be good, but they would be cool.
It would be cool to create an ability for Delphox that immediately activates magic room rather than having magician. It would be cool for a Pokemon that isn't too bulky that can prevent the use of items but can't stay too long.
I was your opponent game 3, the speed of Empoleon really surprised me turn 1, I see now it was a speed tie with my Hisuian Arcanine. Then later I made the call that because you were so fast there was no chance you'd live an attack from my Chi-Yu, but Empoleon surprised me once again with that assault vest bulk, totally destroyed me with a single set, props to the team creator and GGs! I ended up going 13-4 last night and peaked at #261 on the ladder, so it just goes to show both how well the team is constructed and how well you played it
Also I don't know if it would have KO'd but the Arcanine was going for wild charge turn 1 into the empoleon for anyone interested in the thought process
QOTD: I think it'd be fun to see Delphox get a Psychic type Scald signature move, I think a Psychic-type burn would be great flavor for Delphox and help against its bad Defense stat
QOTD: Give Delphox a signature ability that acts as a combination of Anticipation and Frisk. It can look into the future by looking into fire, so that would be perfect.
Your like a friend I never had fam I've learned alot by looking at your videos this past year ever since the beginning and one day I look forward to battling with you I'm a fan of your you and your content you have my support 100 percent Aaron keep it up my guy
Thx for featuring my team cybertron Qotd: i would buff Feraligatr by giving it a dragon type as it secondary type Also maybe giving Meganium a secondary type too
Not even past the team break down and I already wish I could give this video all the Likes and Comments. I love Empoleon amd can't wait to see how the rest of the video pans out
I wanted to leave a comment saying I started getting properly into VGC for the first time largely because of your content making it so accessible -- I used to be a singles player back in Gen 5 and 6, but it wasn't always my thing, but back in Regulation A I found your content and I played around with some rental teams! Now, in Reg E for the first time, I've raised my own Pokemon and while I'm certainly not the best, I want to get better, so I'll be watching here for every video and I'll try and leave more comments as things go because you deserve the engagement + I wanna be invested in this!! Currently I'm experimenting with Imprison Ninetales with Tailwind support to stop enemy Aurora Veils, with my Dragapult carrying Psychic Fangs just in case since everyone and their mother seems to be running Aurora Veil!
QOTD: I think Sap Sipper Swampert would be really cool. As well as a giving it a few moves. Wave Crash, Ice Spinner, Heavy Slam, and maybe even Headlong Rush.. Swampert is a bulkier Pokémon, but I don't know how much of its bulk has really held up due to power creep. I think particularly in a world of Fluttermane and Urshifu, who can knock it out with neutral attacks, this defensive buff could make an impact. Especially with Ogerpon running around. I think the offensive buffs would make it a really interesting Trick Room attacker. Particularly going up against or partnering with Amoongus. Being immune to spore in Trick Room, and getting attack boost from it could go a long way. Especially because swampert doesn't have Swords Dance or Belly Drum. Looking at the other Pokémon that are strong in Trick Room, Kinggambit, Ursaluna, and Iron Hands specifically, I think Swampert could be positioned to be a really strong option while still not being overwhelming. Defensively, it would have an 2 immunities and 1 Relevant resistance (immunity to Electric and an immunity to Grass. Resisting Poison, Rock and Steel, of which, only Steel is that relevant) while remaining neutral to everything else.
If Sinistcha becomes the norm I can see an Assault Vest Conkeldurr being really good over hands on teams cause you can run Guts and punish them for going for matcha. Especially when it has access to knock off to really hurt it.
I’m obsessed with Empoleon. Piplup is also one of my favorite starters. Idk why people give it so much hate especially since it’s THE ONLY WATER/STEEL type we have. Gotta give him the respect it deserves. Super glad they buffed it. All it cost was loosing Defog and not getting Scald. Anyways, QOTD: I think I’d buff Serperior by giving it a new Grass/Dragon form while keeping Contrary so it can spam Draco Meteor and Leaf Storm. Coincidentally another starter id buff would be Emboar. Make it a winged pig that’s Fire/Fairy with access to Play Rough. Idk what ability id give it lol
QOTD: Meganium needs a new Ability. Aroma Veil makes the most sense and would benefit teams, Flower Veil would fit thematically however most teams are not going to run 2 Grass types so would benefit less. It could also use a signature move, I think a Sun based Aurora Veil would be perfect as a bulky Grass type Supporter.
love Empoleon. created a sand team with him that i'm running right now to devastating effect. as you said, he actually has great coverage into the current meta so he's not a meme, he's legit
Been watching the back catalog with regulations prior to F. Just hatched 2 shiny Piplups and Sinistcha is one of my favorite Pokemon of all time. Great playing and I love the team! Also was amazing watching you commentate over the Charlotte Regional. Keep up the amazing work Aaron!
In response to the QOTD, I would give Blastoise his Mega ability, Mega Launcher, over Rain Dish. You’re better off running Leftovers than forcing to make a rain team, and his offensive stats aren’t good as well
When you understand all the nicknames reference Furina - Genshin Impact Saren - Princess Connect Loid Forger - Spy x Family Shirayuki - Akagami no Shirayukihime ChaosBreaker - Cardfight Vanguard
Glad to see You again! (1:01) With that kindness you have earned the like without even having finished watching the video, good man. QOTD: I would buff Inteleon by giving it a new ability like Speed Boost, for example. And also adding Shed Tail to its Movepool. I think it would be more viable that way.
I think libero inteleon would also be cool, since he's a chameleon. So would swift swim, being that he's a water type. I think it would be cool if snipe shot could at least hit through protect too, like urshifu's ability. But that's just me.
@@hitomi_citron Yeah, libero would be Nice. Even something new that increases its evasion because it becomes invisible and therefore "difficult to see"
I know MagnetmanVGC personally and he is one of my good friends! So happy for Aaron to feature him in his channel, and of course I am elated for MagnetmanVGC to finally be featured here. If there's anyone who deserves it, it's definitely him
Empoleon is one of my favorite starters and my favorite Gen 4 starter, so I'm very happy to see it have competitive viability in both VGC and Smogon! Water/Steel is such a cool typing, and who doesn't love penguins?
My favorite types have always been water and steel, so Piplup has been my fave starter since it released. So glad to see Empoleon getting some much needed love. As for the QOTD, I love Infernape, anything based on Sun Wukong done right gets my vote. It would probably be absolutely busted, but I wish it had an ability that made whatever move it used, it would calculate based on the targets lowest stat between Def and Sp Def. Kind of like how Psyshock is a Sp Atk, but attacks Defense instead. So a Close Combat would still be physical, but if the targets Sp Def is lower, it hits that instead of Def. Again, busted, but fits the more tricky side of Wukong.
QOTD: while the Cyndaquil line is my favorite short of giving regular Typhlosion drought i cant think of good ways to buff it. Therefore I’d say give Torterra grassy surge. Follow the ROM hack blueprint and give Meganium fairy typing and triage. Give Delphox Magic bounce. Give Serperior dragon typing (contrary Draco Meteor anyone?). And last but DEFINITELY not least give Alolan Decidueye perish song and make it so that Spirit Shackle does what you THINK it would do and trap ghost types as well and prevent moves like u turn.
QOTD: instead of swampert having damp give it either sand rush or sand force. Making it good on both rain and sand sets. You can use its OG ability and use ita bulk to fire back stabbed damage in the rain or utilize its second typing to be a fast offence type with sand storm....(side note) please buff sandstorm to include steel and ground types ❤️❤️❤️ with special def buff!!
QOTD: Meganiums: give it Multiscale and more coverage moves, from earth power to dazzling gleam Feraligatr: give it Moxie Swampert: give it Mold Breaker. It could hit Gastrodon and pokemon with levitate and water absorb. Also buff its speed giving it 10-20 points from its Spatk. Torterra: it's already been buffed but I think it could have an ability like Solid Rock. Sceptile: it just needs more coverage and special moves. Blastoise: I have no idea but just do it.
QOTD: Infernape is my favourite starter so id give it defiant as a hidden ability and id also love for torterra to have anger shell as its hidden ability
QOTD:Giving meowscarada access to prankster. It has access to a decent support movepool with fake tears, taunt, worry seed, skill swap, trick, charm, and tail whip. giving it prankster would allow it to make better use of these tools.
What a great series of games! Game 4 was definitely my highlight with the crazy luck on both sides. I really didn't think Empoleon would be this good. I'd written it off as worse than Milotic, but considering how rarely Competitive activated yet Empoleon still came in clutch, this really was a great showcase. I almost can't wait for Incineroar to come back so that Competitive gets even more viable (except I hate how dominant that cat is, so maybe not...). QotD: Swampert's a physical Pokémon with primarily Special Water STAB moves. I'd give it Aqua Jet and Wave Crash. Its description apparently notes that it's as quick as a jet ski, but it has really bad speed, so giving it Swift Swim like what Mega Swampert got makes some sense. It's also said to use mud to keep its skin moist, implying its skin is dry otherwise, so I also like the idea of giving it Dry Skin.
QOTD: Meganium gets a new ability, which is a built-in Light Clay, so screens last for 8 turns by default. This could either stack with a held Light Clay to further boost it to 11 turns (probably overkill), or other defensive items to help set up teams. Other support moves like Pollen Puff could be good too. Aside from that, a lot of mods have given Meganium a Fairy type which seems appropiate to me. Yes. I am giving it all these tools because Meganium is adorable :)
I'm not a professional or anything by any means but in casual I like doing Sp. atk EVs with a little spread defensive bulk since it has little weaknesses just being slightly bulk goes a long ways in all the matches I've done so far. Speed is definitely almost always a good fall back though. Like maybe defense EVs + assault vest so you get both to respectable bulk
QOTD: Drop Chesnaught’s speed and Sp. Atk and invest in Sp. def. Then give it Stamina ability. Would make him more viable under trick room, and less specially weak. Plus with Stamina and Body Press you could have Maushold beat up shennanagins. Also give him Stealth Rocks.
Empoleon is my favorite starter, and I'm definitely gonna be trying out this team because I have been wanting to try out using a Trick Room team with Sinistacha. ❤
Yoooo empoleon 🔥🔥🔥🔥👀👀👀👀 Aaron with the fire .Dope meeting you in Pittsburgh brotha ,keep up that content.I miss playing vgc ,maybe I’ll come and switch over from tcg
qotd: Zard will now have a unique terra-evolution, zard's bst will grow 20points across the board and receive the poor and middling ability of protodroughtsynthesis. Additionally zard's attacks will chip the oppponents two mons by 1/6th of max hp every turn. frick wrong chat, i thought i was writing in the game freak dev chat--!
Sooo excited to see Big Blue Bird get used in VGC again! QOTD: Sceptile needs a real makeover. With such a good physical movepool, they should shuffle its stats. Access to the Unburden+Acro combo means it already has tools it needs to succeed. (However, there really isn't any competing with Ogrepon for the slot of Grass physical attacker right now, huh...)
QOTD: charizard needs a buff... it hasn't been the same since it lost the charizardite y megastone and 100 base speed isn't as fast as it used to be, possible alternate form to compensate? sceptile could use a buff too, it has a much wider physical moveset; maybe swap the attack and sp.attack stats?
Charizard doesn't need that much of a buff in my opinion its already good just outclassed by chi yu I think it should get better flying stab and scorching sands ofc and sceptile definitely needs a rework
QOTD: I'm sure everyone and their mother have said it, but give Earth Power to Typhlosion. Even if it doesn't change much, it makes sense thematically.
When I saw the Ursaluna use blood moon, I did not know that it could use it again if you instruct it since you can't use the blood moon move twice in a row normally
QotD: If I could do whatever I wanted, I would give Blastoise the steel type. But since they are never going to change the typing of a starter (baring new forms), I would give it the Steelworker ability, maybe renamed Canon Master
would love to give serperior access to a wider moveset, draco meteor is the dream, but some other moves besides leaf storm to take advantage of contrary would make it a fun pokemon to use, especially since it could be either a physical or special attacker. It's pretty fast, and with tera, could be a really interesting threat.
Competitive (& Defiant) only activates if the opponent side “initiates” the stat drop. An alternative would be an intimidate Stantler with skill swap, to be used on the opponent after it uses trick room.
So many people are sleep on my mans Empoleon. He's OU in Singles and doing very well into the current VGC format. Please give him a chance on your squads, he's worth the slot!!
As for the QOTD : personally Incineroar is my all time fave but he definitely does NOT need buffed but my second favorite starter is Feraligatr so im curious how Swift Swim Feraligatr would do.
Really enjoying your content, last time I attempted to dip my toes into VGC was back in ORAS lmao so it's cool to see the current format. Also...am I seeing this right and the Ninetales/Roaring Moon nicknames are Vanguard references? Also for the QOTD: I'd love to see them turn Meganium into more of a proper support mon, feels like the starter that needs the most buffs (alternatively some more coverage for Serperior would rule)
Aaron took a small break and came back with some HEAT.
we are so back
But its a water type
QOTD: Giving Meganium more supportive traits like the Friend Guard ability or moves such as Rage Powder and Pollen Puff could make it viable as an alternative to Amoonguss
Friend guard & Rage Powder on Meganium would be amazing!
That or just go the ROM hack route and give it triage and fairy typing.
would love to see a grass fairy meganium
I think Meganium could use an ability change too. If going supportive route: Aroma Veil or Flower Veil would be great & fits thematically
Meganium definetely needs changes in this game. It's my favorite starter but man it cannot keep up with the rest
To be fair, Empoleon did win the first ever VGC world championships in 2009. This is more of a glorious return than a debut for our penguin king.
Exactly what I was thinking!
The disrespect is unimaginable lol
Trevenant player here. That battle was frustratingly fun. I still cannot believe that double burn. It was still fun to battle you and I hope to come across you on the ladder at a later time.
It only took around 10 years for GameFreak to realize Empoleon has a higher special attack than attack. I’ve been calling defiant to get changed to competitive for years now and it finally happened.
Man, Empoleon looks so sick in these games. Its textures and animations are awesome.
Totally! I think they did 2D sprite Empoleon justice with these. Piplup's my first starter so it's so cool seeing Empoleon shine in VGC
One thing to remember is Empoleon gets access to water pledge if you just want 80 power 100% accuracy.
It would be insane to see him bring a pledge team where he sets up swamp and asserts dominance since most people don’t even remember swamp exists XD
Just dropping here to say I used this team this past Sunday at an unofficial Japanese qualifier and I managed to top cut with this team!!! I sadly lost in top 32 and couldn't make it to top 8 to secure my invite to their unofficial national tournament, but I am super glad that I was able to make it to top cut because Japan's tournaments are always super stacked.😂😂😂 Thanks for introducing this team, Aaron, as it was a super fun team to use! It was nice to hear everyone react to me using Empoleon! We gotta give the love it has been needing for years!❤
I just wanted to say, even though I don't play this game because of the performance issues, I still enjoy keeping up with your channel and watching you play! Glad you got to use the Piplup line!
you could play on showdown still, there is now even an option for bo3s battles for regulation E rn
@@TrainerGoldAlt I do and I don’t. Not quite the same because I shiny hunt but I go on there sometimes. Definitely next best option
QotD: I'd do almost anything to have my guy Sceptile be competitively relevant. Could add a secondary type like Dragon or Dark, but really Sceptile is wasted as a special attacker. I'd swap its offensive stats so that it can actually use its signature move better and make SD sets more viable.
Aaron has been working so hard at school that he hasn't had time to know that he's facing the Wolfe Glick Komo-o team. Mad props to school work and your content as well. Keep up the good work in both fields
Do you know where I can find the team code for that team? Maybe I'm just oblivious, but I can't find it anywhere.
instead of grass tera tera blast, grass knot is also an option outside of tera! empoleon is my favorite starter, this was SUCH a joy to watch, tysm.
For the QOTD, I've always wanted Serperior to be Grass/Dragon and have access to Contrary Draco Meteor🐍 (love the content btw)
Good idea. Typing aside, Serperior should have more moves that make use of Contrary anyway
@@fromretroville
I love Serperior, but it would be a menace if it had Draco meteor with stab. I think stuff like Superpower, Close Combat, and Scale Shot would be cool. Let it run some more mixed sets. They may not be good, but they would be cool.
It would be cool to create an ability for Delphox that immediately activates magic room rather than having magician. It would be cool for a Pokemon that isn't too bulky that can prevent the use of items but can't stay too long.
Yes! Now we just need a Piplup team, but I'll definitely try this one
I was your opponent game 3, the speed of Empoleon really surprised me turn 1, I see now it was a speed tie with my Hisuian Arcanine. Then later I made the call that because you were so fast there was no chance you'd live an attack from my Chi-Yu, but Empoleon surprised me once again with that assault vest bulk, totally destroyed me with a single set, props to the team creator and GGs! I ended up going 13-4 last night and peaked at #261 on the ladder, so it just goes to show both how well the team is constructed and how well you played it
Also I don't know if it would have KO'd but the Arcanine was going for wild charge turn 1 into the empoleon for anyone interested in the thought process
QOTD: I think it'd be fun to see Delphox get a Psychic type Scald signature move, I think a Psychic-type burn would be great flavor for Delphox and help against its bad Defense stat
The empoleon hurt my soul game 5, GG man it was awesome matching with you on the ladder!
QOTD: drizzle blastoise
Thanks for the content! I've been puking the 12 hours and you're helping me through it 😅
QOTD: Give Delphox a signature ability that acts as a combination of Anticipation and Frisk. It can look into the future by looking into fire, so that would be perfect.
Your like a friend I never had fam I've learned alot by looking at your videos this past year ever since the beginning and one day I look forward to battling with you I'm a fan of your you and your content you have my support 100 percent Aaron keep it up my guy
59:56 on that e speed vacuum wave my gholdengo lived on literally 1 😂
Finally a Team with the finale evolution of your Favorite Pokémon, glad to see you!
such an awesome video! will definetly use this team, you do such a good job explaining VGC battles.
QOTD: Meganium with the hidden ability Triage is my dream, plus maybe the move Jungle Healing
Thx for featuring my team cybertron
Qotd: i would buff Feraligatr by giving it a dragon type as it secondary type
Also maybe giving Meganium a secondary type too
Not even past the team break down and I already wish I could give this video all the Likes and Comments. I love Empoleon amd can't wait to see how the rest of the video pans out
I wanted to leave a comment saying I started getting properly into VGC for the first time largely because of your content making it so accessible -- I used to be a singles player back in Gen 5 and 6, but it wasn't always my thing, but back in Regulation A I found your content and I played around with some rental teams!
Now, in Reg E for the first time, I've raised my own Pokemon and while I'm certainly not the best, I want to get better, so I'll be watching here for every video and I'll try and leave more comments as things go because you deserve the engagement + I wanna be invested in this!!
Currently I'm experimenting with Imprison Ninetales with Tailwind support to stop enemy Aurora Veils, with my Dragapult carrying Psychic Fangs just in case since everyone and their mother seems to be running Aurora Veil!
I'm so happy that I can finally watch your Videos again! Emp is such a cool Pokemon!
QOTD: I think Sap Sipper Swampert would be really cool. As well as a giving it a few moves. Wave Crash, Ice Spinner, Heavy Slam, and maybe even Headlong Rush.. Swampert is a bulkier Pokémon, but I don't know how much of its bulk has really held up due to power creep. I think particularly in a world of Fluttermane and Urshifu, who can knock it out with neutral attacks, this defensive buff could make an impact. Especially with Ogerpon running around. I think the offensive buffs would make it a really interesting Trick Room attacker. Particularly going up against or partnering with Amoongus. Being immune to spore in Trick Room, and getting attack boost from it could go a long way. Especially because swampert doesn't have Swords Dance or Belly Drum. Looking at the other Pokémon that are strong in Trick Room, Kinggambit, Ursaluna, and Iron Hands specifically, I think Swampert could be positioned to be a really strong option while still not being overwhelming. Defensively, it would have an 2 immunities and 1 Relevant resistance (immunity to Electric and an immunity to Grass. Resisting Poison, Rock and Steel, of which, only Steel is that relevant) while remaining neutral to everything else.
QOTD: Give Serperior a regional form that is Grass/Dragon and give it Draco meteor while still having contrary.
If Sinistcha becomes the norm I can see an Assault Vest Conkeldurr being really good over hands on teams cause you can run Guts and punish them for going for matcha. Especially when it has access to knock off to really hurt it.
I’m obsessed with Empoleon. Piplup is also one of my favorite starters. Idk why people give it so much hate especially since it’s THE ONLY WATER/STEEL type we have. Gotta give him the respect it deserves. Super glad they buffed it. All it cost was loosing Defog and not getting Scald. Anyways, QOTD: I think I’d buff Serperior by giving it a new Grass/Dragon form while keeping Contrary so it can spam Draco Meteor and Leaf Storm. Coincidentally another starter id buff would be Emboar. Make it a winged pig that’s Fire/Fairy with access to Play Rough. Idk what ability id give it lol
QOTD: Meganium needs a new Ability. Aroma Veil makes the most sense and would benefit teams, Flower Veil would fit thematically however most teams are not going to run 2 Grass types so would benefit less. It could also use a signature move, I think a Sun based Aurora Veil would be perfect as a bulky Grass type Supporter.
QOTD: Primarina should get Geomancy and Boomburst. Delphox should have psychic surge and expanding force.
QOTD: Defiant Feraligatr, Harvest Meganium, Disguise or Illusion Delphox.
love Empoleon. created a sand team with him that i'm running right now to devastating effect. as you said, he actually has great coverage into the current meta so he's not a meme, he's legit
Been watching the back catalog with regulations prior to F. Just hatched 2 shiny Piplups and Sinistcha is one of my favorite Pokemon of all time. Great playing and I love the team! Also was amazing watching you commentate over the Charlotte Regional. Keep up the amazing work Aaron!
In response to the QOTD, I would give Blastoise his Mega ability, Mega Launcher, over Rain Dish. You’re better off running Leftovers than forcing to make a rain team, and his offensive stats aren’t good as well
Mega Launcher is really a meh ability cause there aren't many moves that it buffs and I think Blastoise only learns four
@@ParkyMarz maybe give him more pulse moves? Idk
When you understand all the nicknames reference
Furina - Genshin Impact
Saren - Princess Connect
Loid Forger - Spy x Family
Shirayuki - Akagami no Shirayukihime
ChaosBreaker - Cardfight Vanguard
Glad to see You again!
(1:01) With that kindness you have earned the like without even having finished watching the video, good man.
QOTD: I would buff Inteleon by giving it a new ability like Speed Boost, for example. And also adding Shed Tail to its Movepool. I think it would be more viable that way.
I think libero inteleon would also be cool, since he's a chameleon. So would swift swim, being that he's a water type. I think it would be cool if snipe shot could at least hit through protect too, like urshifu's ability. But that's just me.
@@hitomi_citron Yeah, libero would be Nice. Even something new that increases its evasion because it becomes invisible and therefore "difficult to see"
I know MagnetmanVGC personally and he is one of my good friends! So happy for Aaron to feature him in his channel, and of course I am elated for MagnetmanVGC to finally be featured here. If there's anyone who deserves it, it's definitely him
Empoleon is one of my favorite starters and my favorite Gen 4 starter, so I'm very happy to see it have competitive viability in both VGC and Smogon! Water/Steel is such a cool typing, and who doesn't love penguins?
My favorite types have always been water and steel, so Piplup has been my fave starter since it released. So glad to see Empoleon getting some much needed love. As for the QOTD, I love Infernape, anything based on Sun Wukong done right gets my vote. It would probably be absolutely busted, but I wish it had an ability that made whatever move it used, it would calculate based on the targets lowest stat between Def and Sp Def. Kind of like how Psyshock is a Sp Atk, but attacks Defense instead. So a Close Combat would still be physical, but if the targets Sp Def is lower, it hits that instead of Def. Again, busted, but fits the more tricky side of Wukong.
Used Empoleon with Duy back in the day. He and I loved it and it has perfect switch synergy with Landorus.
Stempe the GOAT!!!! Good to see you here man
Haha always gotta support my boy!
QOTD: while the Cyndaquil line is my favorite short of giving regular Typhlosion drought i cant think of good ways to buff it. Therefore I’d say give Torterra grassy surge. Follow the ROM hack blueprint and give Meganium fairy typing and triage. Give Delphox Magic bounce. Give Serperior dragon typing (contrary Draco Meteor anyone?). And last but DEFINITELY not least give Alolan Decidueye perish song and make it so that Spirit Shackle does what you THINK it would do and trap ghost types as well and prevent moves like u turn.
QOTD: instead of swampert having damp give it either sand rush or sand force. Making it good on both rain and sand sets. You can use its OG ability and use ita bulk to fire back stabbed damage in the rain or utilize its second typing to be a fast offence type with sand storm....(side note) please buff sandstorm to include steel and ground types ❤️❤️❤️ with special def buff!!
Bro Dropped the Hardest Empoleon Video and Thought We Wouldn't Notice 🗣️🗣️🗣️🔥🔥🔥🐧🐧🐧🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
QOTD: I would love to see Swampert get the ability Swift Swim like it's mega
Empoleon is my favorite starter of all time. LOVE TO SEE HIM 😍😍
QOTD:
Meganiums: give it Multiscale and more coverage moves, from earth power to dazzling gleam
Feraligatr: give it Moxie
Swampert: give it Mold Breaker. It could hit Gastrodon and pokemon with levitate and water absorb. Also buff its speed giving it 10-20 points from its Spatk.
Torterra: it's already been buffed but I think it could have an ability like Solid Rock.
Sceptile: it just needs more coverage and special moves.
Blastoise: I have no idea but just do it.
That second battle was INSANE! great match!
awesome video. loved seeing empoleon do so much work
QOTD: Infernape is my favourite Pokémon of all time and I always thought it should get Defiant
That second game was cinematic! amazing plays
Empoleon is my favorite mon ever. I've been using since the start of the regulation and I'm so happy to see him doing well
QOTD: Infernape is my favourite starter so id give it defiant as a hidden ability and id also love for torterra to have anger shell as its hidden ability
YO EMPOLEON DABS DOING FLASH CANNON WTF
And hydro pump
QOTD:Giving meowscarada access to prankster. It has access to a decent support movepool with fake tears, taunt, worry seed, skill swap, trick, charm, and tail whip. giving it prankster would allow it to make better use of these tools.
Rock head arcanine isn't very common. Would think that 150 rock smash would come in clutch for many situations.
Big Penguin coming back better than ever is inspiring me to try VGC again. Thanks Cybertron!
QOTD: Giving Swampert Storm Drain would make it very usefull
QOTD: I'd give Blastoise swift swim, it would be a huge buff from rain dish and would make it the only swift swim pokemon that also learns water spout
What a great series of games! Game 4 was definitely my highlight with the crazy luck on both sides. I really didn't think Empoleon would be this good. I'd written it off as worse than Milotic, but considering how rarely Competitive activated yet Empoleon still came in clutch, this really was a great showcase. I almost can't wait for Incineroar to come back so that Competitive gets even more viable (except I hate how dominant that cat is, so maybe not...).
QotD: Swampert's a physical Pokémon with primarily Special Water STAB moves. I'd give it Aqua Jet and Wave Crash. Its description apparently notes that it's as quick as a jet ski, but it has really bad speed, so giving it Swift Swim like what Mega Swampert got makes some sense. It's also said to use mud to keep its skin moist, implying its skin is dry otherwise, so I also like the idea of giving it Dry Skin.
QOTD: Meganium gets a new ability, which is a built-in Light Clay, so screens last for 8 turns by default. This could either stack with a held Light Clay to further boost it to 11 turns (probably overkill), or other defensive items to help set up teams. Other support moves like Pollen Puff could be good too. Aside from that, a lot of mods have given Meganium a Fairy type which seems appropiate to me.
Yes. I am giving it all these tools because Meganium is adorable :)
For the sorlock, there is a robe you can get from Alfrira that adds your charima modifier again in act 2. Sorlocks pop off
Empoleon looked unstoppable in this video! You always make Pokémon look so good! GG’s brother!
QOTD: Give Feraligatr Strong Jaw and more fang moves, you cowards.
I'm not a professional or anything by any means but in casual I like doing Sp. atk EVs with a little spread defensive bulk since it has little weaknesses just being slightly bulk goes a long ways in all the matches I've done so far. Speed is definitely almost always a good fall back though. Like maybe defense EVs + assault vest so you get both to respectable bulk
My initial thought is that Tera flying Empoleon might be good to stop fighing and ground types if iron hands and dogie are a problem
I forgot hands is electric lol
I love me some Empoleon. So glad its ability changed
💯
QOTD: Drop Chesnaught’s speed and Sp. Atk and invest in Sp. def. Then give it Stamina ability. Would make him more viable under trick room, and less specially weak. Plus with Stamina and Body Press you could have Maushold beat up shennanagins.
Also give him Stealth Rocks.
Empoleon dabbing on his enemies as he launches a flash cannon is the most funniest thing i've seen.
Empoleon was a monster in this battles! 😳
Empoleon Assault Vest in Gen 4 must have been a king!
In Ranked / Ladder I really like After You on a slow Clefairy to deal with Trick Room.
Shout out to Loid Forger the Arcanine. Love the reference they the Team Creator made
Empoleon is my favorite starter, and I'm definitely gonna be trying out this team because I have been wanting to try out using a Trick Room team with Sinistacha. ❤
Sinistcha's fainting animation is just adorable, it's one of my favourite Pokémon right now
Yoooo empoleon 🔥🔥🔥🔥👀👀👀👀 Aaron with the fire .Dope meeting you in Pittsburgh brotha ,keep up that content.I miss playing vgc ,maybe I’ll come and switch over from tcg
qotd: Zard will now have a unique terra-evolution, zard's bst will grow 20points across the board and receive the poor and middling ability of protodroughtsynthesis. Additionally zard's attacks will chip the oppponents two mons by 1/6th of max hp every turn. frick wrong chat, i thought i was writing in the game freak dev chat--!
Sooo excited to see Big Blue Bird get used in VGC again!
QOTD: Sceptile needs a real makeover. With such a good physical movepool, they should shuffle its stats. Access to the Unburden+Acro combo means it already has tools it needs to succeed. (However, there really isn't any competing with Ogrepon for the slot of Grass physical attacker right now, huh...)
QOTD: charizard needs a buff... it hasn't been the same since it lost the charizardite y megastone and 100 base speed isn't as fast as it used to be, possible alternate form to compensate?
sceptile could use a buff too, it has a much wider physical moveset; maybe swap the attack and sp.attack stats?
Charizard doesn't need that much of a buff in my opinion its already good just outclassed by chi yu I think it should get better flying stab and scorching sands ofc and sceptile definitely needs a rework
I am so using this team, i love piplup too!!
Piplup has a special place in my heart❤
I’ve been waiting for an empoleon showcase by you since I found out that it got competitive 😂
With Megas essentially gone, I would give regular Swampert swift swim as well as headlong rush
QOTD: I'm sure everyone and their mother have said it, but give Earth Power to Typhlosion. Even if it doesn't change much, it makes sense thematically.
My favorite narrative in Road to Ranked is the plushies in Aaron's rooms.
When I saw the Ursaluna use blood moon, I did not know that it could use it again if you instruct it since you can't use the blood moon move twice in a row normally
1:00:01 same reaction 🤣
Holy Moly empoleon is a beast!!
QOTD: Buff infernape with either a buff to iron fist increase damage to 50% or chaging its ability to sheer force so it can great damage with life ord
QotD: If I could do whatever I wanted, I would give Blastoise the steel type. But since they are never going to change the typing of a starter (baring new forms), I would give it the Steelworker ability, maybe renamed Canon Master
Give me Delphox with Expanding Force. It’d be fun.
would love to give serperior access to a wider moveset, draco meteor is the dream, but some other moves besides leaf storm to take advantage of contrary would make it a fun pokemon to use, especially since it could be either a physical or special attacker. It's pretty fast, and with tera, could be a really interesting threat.
Kinda sucks that dusclops lost bulldoze in SV. was actually thinking to enable competitive with buldoze under trick room with eviolite dusclops
Competitive (& Defiant) only activates if the opponent side “initiates” the stat drop. An alternative would be an intimidate Stantler with skill swap, to be used on the opponent after it uses trick room.
So many people are sleep on my mans Empoleon. He's OU in Singles and doing very well into the current VGC format. Please give him a chance on your squads, he's worth the slot!!
Love a timely Aaron upload!
As for the QOTD : personally Incineroar is my all time fave but he definitely does NOT need buffed but my second favorite starter is Feraligatr so im curious how Swift Swim Feraligatr would do.
Really enjoying your content, last time I attempted to dip my toes into VGC was back in ORAS lmao so it's cool to see the current format.
Also...am I seeing this right and the Ninetales/Roaring Moon nicknames are Vanguard references?
Also for the QOTD: I'd love to see them turn Meganium into more of a proper support mon, feels like the starter that needs the most buffs (alternatively some more coverage for Serperior would rule)
Happy whenever Aaron post a new video 😁😁